Tander and Payne pleased with Grove Racing’s direction
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 23 February 2023
Despite being more than 1.5s off the pace, star co-driver Garth Tander and rookie Matthew Payne are pleased with the direction Grove Racing is heading towards the Newcastle 500.
David Reynolds gets some flames entering Turn 1 at Sydney Motorsport Park. Image: Supplied
It was the third test day for Grove Racing and the first where both the #19 and #26 Mustangs were on track together.
Payne and Reynolds finished alongside each other in positions 17 and 18 respectively with the rookie edging out his more experienced teammate by two tenths of a second.
Also cutting laps was star co-driver Tander, who drove a Ford in a Supercars session for the first time in his 25-year career.
The five-time Bathurst 1000 winner said the early wet running was a “challenge” but he finished the day believing Grove Racing is in a “good spot” leading into Newcastle.
Grove Racing technical director Grant McPherson with Garth Tander at Sydney Motorsport Park. Image: Supplied
“It was a good day being the first time we have run both cars together on the same day,” Tander said following the session.
“The (wet) weather was a bit of a challenge, so we didn’t get through our whole test program, but the cars were good.
“As always the way on test days you learn a lot of what not to do as much as you learn what to do.
“I think we’re in a pretty good spot and looking forward to testing again next week.”
Payne, who is stepping up from Super2 to the main game in 2023, is also feeling positive as his full-time debut at Newcastle gets ever closer.
Matt Payne gets ready to jump into his Ford Mustang at Sydney. Image: Supplied
The driver of the #19 Mustang enjoyed 59 laps behind the wheel and gained some experience in wet conditions, which could prove handy throughout the season.
Payne said he is still full of excitement with just one more Grove Racing test session scheduled before the first round.
“Our test day at Sydney went really well,” he said.
“When we started out it was a little bit wet, so we were getting a feel for the car with the wet conditions.
“We did not know what to expect, but then it fired a little bit and it was good to get some dry running, which is what we came for.
“We made dome set-up changes and definitely made some progress.
“It has been very positive and I can’t wait for our next test day at Winton.”
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